Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble
by Primus
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2014
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Reviewer138
    Jan 26, 2017
    9
    What you would expect from Primus covering a classic musical score. Some complain about the repetition of the Oompa Loompa songs, this is similar to the film, and connects the album's songs together as the musical soundtrack. In addition, each one varies slightly, and the lyrics are different. Some may say it is a novelty, I call it a loving tribute to the film.
  2. Danm95VFF
    Apr 20, 2016
    7
    Replicating the Chocolate Factory soundtrack by utilising Primus' trademark funk rock sound is certainly an interesting idea. There's nothing wrong with the execution from where I'm standing, but I feel as though it's lacking that hard-rocking punch that Primus albums usually contain. Returning drummer Tim Alexander is thankfully given plenty of opportunity to show off. The main issue hereReplicating the Chocolate Factory soundtrack by utilising Primus' trademark funk rock sound is certainly an interesting idea. There's nothing wrong with the execution from where I'm standing, but I feel as though it's lacking that hard-rocking punch that Primus albums usually contain. Returning drummer Tim Alexander is thankfully given plenty of opportunity to show off. The main issue here is that if you're not as big a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as you are of Primus, this album doesn't have quite as much to offer as usual Primus releases.… Collapse
  3. ydnar4
    Nov 5, 2014
    8
    Les Claypool is a genius for ever thinking this up. Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is a reconstructed version of the soundtrack from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, a soundtrack that many people young and old know. The music is weird as it should be and Claypool's vocals are spot on for this album. Its too bad they couldn't have released a short film as aLes Claypool is a genius for ever thinking this up. Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is a reconstructed version of the soundtrack from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, a soundtrack that many people young and old know. The music is weird as it should be and Claypool's vocals are spot on for this album. Its too bad they couldn't have released a short film as a companion to the album or maybe there will be a remake of the film that would feature Primus' soundtrack. I'd sure be up for it.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 16, 2014
    70
    Primus are an acquired taste, but a taste worth acquiring. [Dec 2014, p.107]
  2. Kerrang!
    Dec 16, 2014
    60
    While this retains their characteristic strangeness, you could argue it isn't the best use of their considerable talents. [8 Nov 2014, p.54]
  3. Record Collector
    Nov 12, 2014
    60
    He and Alexander have also stayed mostly away from the slap-bass and funk drums that made Primus’ early hits so compelling, so don’t expect the usual extravagant workouts. Instead, this album is best viewed as the point where Claypool’s interests in film and music meet at a sort of psychedelic flashpoint.
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